Hotel Al Gabbiano, Nuoro

Advantages: Privacy and desert luxury - own private pool
Disadvantages: Pricey even by the standard of other 7/6 star resorts

...The Al Maha desert resort is unique amongst Dubai's luxury hotel offerings. Combining nature reserve, luxury hotel and Arabian hospitality the resort is highly recommended by this reviewer! The resort is set in the desert about 40 minutes drive (by hotel provided 4x4) from Dubai's International airport. It provides peace and quiet with first class luxury and service to match the best that Dubai has to offer. The chief attractions of this hotel are Peace and quiet Your own private pool Tasteful Luxury Nature Reserve Peace and quiet An ideal place to relax after the hustle and bustle of city living. The hotel has a meet and greet service at the airport which will welcome you to Dubai and arrange your transport to the hotel. As the hotel is set in its own 225 square kilometre private estate you must use the hotel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Small Family Hotel, Beautiful Area, True Italian Family Life
Disadvantages: Little English Spoken, No On-Site Activities, No Dinner Menu

...of the hotel, but sadly it was a little nippy to be considered on this trip. Check-In was easy. The hotel itself was (And hopefully still is) family run and the eldest son handled the majority of enquiries and check-ins in between his university studies. The room was simply beautiful. Terracotta tiled floor with a super-king sized bed, white walls with a deep royal blue decor gave the room massive amounts of space (The fact that the room was massive as well helped). There was a balcony that opened up onto a spectacular mountain view, and stretched over the bottom corner of the valley. If you looked hard on a clear day, you can actually see all the way to the sea. The ensuite bathroom was beautiful. Again, terracotta floors dominated, but since Nuoro is famed for its marble quarries, all of the fixtures and sinks were of fine light marble... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Everything - a real experience hotel
Disadvantages: Cost - A little too far from Town for easy shopping/eating out

...The Burj-Al-Arab (Arabian Tower) is Dubai and the UAE's answer to the landmark symbols of other countries, they compare it to the Eiffel tower (it's slightly taller by virtue of its mast) and other icons. The Burj is said to be the world's only 7 star hotel - this is something that has to be taken with a pinch of salt, hotel stars are usually awarded by national tourist authorities and in my opinion are rarely an indication of quality or value for money. I'm not sure who awarded the stars to this hotel but in this instance they are completely deserved and then more. From the moment we arrived at the airport we knew we were dealing with something special, the hotel's meet and assist "airport liaison" officer met us just before passport control - he took our hand luggage and walked us to the head of the queue, past the "priority... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful